Formula 1: The worst-kept secret was finally revealed

It has officially been confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda is set to graduate from Formula 2 to compete for AlphaTauri in the 2021 Formula 1 season.

Just days after AlphaTauri Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat all but confirmed that he would be replaced by Formula 2 and Red Bull junior driver Yuki Tsunoda next year, the Red Bull sister team made it official.

Tsunoda is set to compete alongside Italian Grand Prix winner Pierre Gasly, whom the team signed through 2021 in October, next year.

Here is what the 20-year-old Japanese driver had to say about this opportunity, according to Formula 1.

"“Like most racing drivers, it has always been my goal to race in Formula 1, so I am very happy with this news.“I want to thank Scuderia AlphaTauri, Red Bull and Dr. [Helmut] Marko for giving me this opportunity, and of course everyone from Honda, for all their support so far in my career, giving me great opportunities to race in Europe.“I must also thank the teams that I have raced with to get to this point, particularly Carlin, with whom I have learned so much this year. I realize that I will be carrying the hopes of a lot of Japanese F1 fans next year and I will be doing my best for them too.”"

Tsunoda, a Honda driver, is set to be the first driver born this millennium to compete in Formula 1. He is set to be the first Japanese driver in the sport since Kamui Kobayashi last competed in 2014.

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Driving for Carlin in the 2020 Formula 2 season, he finished in third place in the driver standings with three wins and an additional four podium finishes in 24 races.

He competed for Honda Formula Dream Project in the 2017 and 2018 F4 Japanese Championship seasons. He finished in third place in the standings in 2017 with three wins and an additional three podium finishes in 14 races, and he won the title in 2018 with seven wins and an additional four podium finishes in 14 races.

In 2019, he competed for Jenzer Motorsport in Formula 3 and finished in ninth place in the driver standings with one win and an additional two podium finishes in 16 races prior to his promotion to Formula 2.

Here is what AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost had to add about signing Tsunoda for next year.

"“Red Bull has been following Yuki’s career for a while now and I am sure he will be a great asset to our team. Watching him in Formula 2 this year, he has demonstrated the right mix of racing aggression and good technical understanding. During the test in Imola in November when he drove our 2018 car, his lap times were very consistent over a race simulation, he progressed throughout the day and gave our engineers useful feedback.“In addition, his integration with the Honda engineers has been seamless, which certainly helps. At the test in Abu Dhabi this week, he proved to be a fast learner and that he is ready to make the step to Formula One.”"

The Australian Grand Prix, which was scrapped from the 2020 Formula 1 schedule as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, is scheduled to kick off the 23-race 2021 season on Sunday, March 21 at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit.

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Tsunoda, who competed in the young driver test at Yas Marina Circuit after this past weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the track and finished fifth quickest in the 15-driver field, is set to make his official Formula 1 debut in this race.

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